4/10/2002 - Football
Spring Football Report #10

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Practice Report #10

Comments from defensive tackle Ralph Henry

Q. What are the signs you see right now of the defense coming together?

A. To be honest with you, I just think it's the intensity. Everybody is fired up. A big part of it is that everybody is running to the ball. I noticed last year that we didn't have the intensity, now we have all 11 people running to the ball, that's the sign of a solid football team. Coach Green is amazing. He doesn't settle for anything less than the best.

Q. Are you guys playing more aggressively?

A. Yes, Yes. Last year we did a lot of slants, this year we are a lot of heads up stuff, coming off the ball hard. It's a whole new mental toughness that Coach Green has brought to the defense.

Q. Is that what Coach Green has talked to you guys about, being more intense, is that based on what he saw from last year or just the way he likes to play.

A. To be honest with you, that's just the way he wants his teams to play. He isn't going to allow anyone to give less than 100 percent on the field. That's the way football is supposed to be played, especially on the defensive side of the ball. You have to want it bad.

Q. How about personally, what kind of conditioning did you do in the offseason?

A. I am in better shape. The fourth quarters (conditioning) that we had before spring ball, it was ridiculous; I'm not going to lie to you. Coach Johnson set the tone right then. I really didn't know what to expect and that first day blew me away, but I think it got us ready for spring ball.

Q. Do you think this team welcomes that kind of approach?

A. Coach Johnson and his staff have brought that spark that we have been missing the last couple of years.

Q. It sounds like Coach Johnson had the team's respect right away.

A. His record speaks for itself

Q. How would you describe Coach Green's (Buddy, defensive coordinator) personality.

A. He's intense. He is fired up and he doesn't settle for anything less from us. He wants us to be right in everything we do and I respect that, because if it isn't right, it's wrong and you aren't going to win games doing wrong things on the field. We strive for perfection on every play.